Last day of work

There wasn't a whole lot to do on Friday as the work crew was ready to lay the rebar halfway up the walls. We were only working a half day so it worked out. I sifted more sand, removed the guideposts for the corner pillars that we put in on day one, shoveled sand and gravel for concrete, and carried more bricks. Other people polished bricks for the front side of the building, tied new rebar together, and mixed the concrete to be poured into the pillars. It was a fascinating process to watch the workers level off the rebar, tie boards with wire on opposite sides of the brick walls to pour the concrete into, and then shovel the concrete in quickly before it dried out. I amazed by how much work was done without any power tools or electricity - from removing a tree trunk to mixing concrete and creating metal pillars by hand. 

We had a nice surprise before lunch when the kids from the school asked if they could talk to us on our last day. The older kids in the group each stood up and personally thanked us for coming to help build their new school. They often worry about the dangers of learning in a building made of dirt that could collapse  in the event of tremors. Also, the old building is so small, the teacher has a hard time getting all the kids in and separating them out by age to teach them. It was a very touching experience as one by one they thanked us and God for sending us not only to construct the new school but to get to know the people in the community and work together with them on the project. The teacher thanked us as well and truly appreciates having a new, safe place to teach her students. Some people in our group spoke as well about how much we get out of the experience and truly appreciate the opportunity to work with the community. Then, a few of the students asked if they could come around and give each of us a hug showing their gratitude. 

We ended the work day with some soccer with the kids and a heartfelt goodbye to an amazing community of people who I hope to see again someday in the future.